“Oh. I don’t have any meetings scheduled until next week, but I have some things to work on for a new client that I’ll probably start this weekend once we get back.” I tried to keep my tone casual, as if I hadn’t just been lost inside of my own head.
“Who’s the client? Anyone we’d know?” my mother asked.
“It’s a dentist office in Denver. Bite of Life.”
At this, my father let out a huffing laugh. “Bite of Life. Nowthat’scharming. I haven’t heard of them.”
I smiled. “That’s why they hired me. They’re struggling to get new customers because they don’t have a strong marketing foundation and no one is finding them.”
My father beamed. “Have I told you lately how proud we are of you, dear?”
“Thanks, Dad,” I responded, feeling just a smidge embarrassed.
Suddenly, Logan’s voice came from the seat to my right. “I’m looking forward to Millie helping me with some marketing for the shop.”
I saw my father’s eyes widen at this. “Oh! That’s a lovely idea!”
I turned to look back at Logan, seeing his eyes twinkle as he smiled. His stare was so bright and intense it felt like he was burning a hole right through my head. “Yeah, it’s gonna be a great partnership.” I felt my breath falter at his words, but did my best to stay composed. Was Logan subtlyflirtingwith me in front of everyone?
I gave him my best attempt at a casual smile before focusing on what was left of my pancakes on the plate in front of me.
It wasn’t long before we were packing up Adam’s car and getting ready for the drive back to the city. My mother handed me a tote bag full of tupperware containing leftovers, assuring us that it would go to waste if we didn’t take it. Both of my parents fawned over Rachel as they said their goodbyes. I watched as my father hugged Logan just as fervently as he had when we arrived, and another tear slipped from my mother’s eye. A pang of emotion that I couldn’t name flared up within me as I watched them—another stark reminder of just how integrated Logan was in our lives.
“Promise to call when you get home?” my mother yelled once we all piled into the car.
“We will!” Adam yelled back.
And then we settled in for the journey home.
Beside me, I noticed that Logan had his phone out and was furiously typing away into it. I wondered who he might be talking to before my own phone vibrated just as he put his down in his lap, looking out his window.
I felt a jolt of excitement as I pulled it out of my coat pocket to see that, sure enough, there was a new text from Logan.
Logan
You look really pretty today.
I covered my mouth with my hand to hide the smile on my face, unable to stop it. I snuck a quick glance back toward Logan and saw that he was still looking out his window, like an innocent little sneak. Looking back down at my phone, I sent him a reply.
Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.
After a moment, Logan looked back down at his phone and immediately began typing again.
Logan
When can I see you again?
My heart instantly fluttered in my chest as relief flooded through me. He wasn’t going to blow this off—I felt like I could practically burst with joy. I read his text over and over again, letting it sink in, before I realized that he would be waiting for my response. Looking up front, I caught Adam’s eyes in the rearview mirror. “Hey Adam, do you work tonight?”
Adam, who was completely aloof to what was going on in the backseat, shook his head as he watched the road in front of him. “No, I’ll go back tomorrow night. I’m going to try and stay up tonight so that I can sleep during the day tomorrow. Might watch some movies. Why?”
I kept my face neutral. “No reason, just trying to plan a hot date.”
I could feel Logan’s eyes snap toward me, but I kept my focus on the rearview.
Adam chuckled. “Hot date, huh?” His tone was sarcastic, as if I couldn’t possibly be serious.
I shrugged. “I could have a hot date.”
